Meditation can play a large part in even the smallest day to day tasks. Understanding what meditation is and how it works will help you to work through whatever mental, physical and even emotional wall you have come to.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is a method for acquainting our mind with virtue. The more familiar our mind is with virtue, the calmer and more peaceful it becomes. When our mind is peaceful, we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we experience true happiness.
If we train our mind to become peaceful, we will be happy all the time, even in the most adverse conditions. But if our mind is not peaceful, even if we have the most pleasant external conditions, we will not be happy. Therefore, it is important to train our mind through meditation.
Why You Should Meditate
- Improved Concentration
- Less Bothered by Little Things
- Better Health
- Deeper Knowledge of Self
- And so much more!
Now that you see how meditation works and a few of the reasons that you should incorporate mediation into your everyday routine, you will be able to figure out the ways that work best for you to channel your inner Zen. Here are a few ways that work bet for me:
Move Your Body
Your body is designed to move and be active. You’re meant to walk, run, bend, twist, extend, reach, jump, and squat. It’s only been in recent history that people have become more and more sedentary. Spending large portions of the day sitting not only contributes to serious health conditions, but it also robs you of energy.
One of the surest and fastest ways to increase your energy is to simply get up and move. No matter what activity you choose—walking, light mobility or calisthenics, dancing, bodyweight exercises, a light jog, or moving your body through a yoga sequence—your energy levels will increase from even the slightest amount of physical activity. As you get up and move, your heart pumps harder and faster, recirculating the blood that was pooling in your lower extremities. This helps to carry more oxygen through your system and to your brain, helping you feel an increase in awareness and energy. The movement of your arms and legs also increases the circulation of lymph, hormones, and neurotransmitters throughout your body, regulating and balancing your mind-body system and further enhancing your energetic output.
Breathe Deep
The next time it feels like you’re running on empty, notice your breathing. Chances are your breathing will be slow and shallow. This is due to the fact that you consume less oxygen as your mind and body become tired and dull. But just as the state of your mind and body can influence your breathing, your breathing can conversely influence the state of your body and mind. Therefore, if slow and shallow breathing is a byproduct of low mind-body energy, rapid and deep breathing can swing your energy gauge in the opposite direction. You don’t have to be a trained yogi to benefit from this. Simply take full, deep breaths whenever you feel low on energy and notice how even just a few minutes of practice will help you to feel more awake.
Commit to your health. Try doing a moving meditation or deep breathing and find out which works best for you.
